May 15, 2011

 

Contacts:

Kathy Riggs, MSU Billings Foundation, 657-2244
Dan Carter, University Relations, 657-2269

 

Opportunity Campaign for MSU Billings Scholarships focuses on needs of part-time, working adults and two-year students

 

MSU BILLINGS NEWS SERVICES — Student scholarships at Montana State University Billings have received a giant boost, thanks to the early success of a new campaign at the university.

 

Opportunity Campaign for Scholarships logoMarilynn Miller, president and CEO of the Montana State University Billings Foundation, formally announced a three-year, $6 million scholarship campaign at the Saturday evening finale of the 19th annual MSU Billings Wine and Food Festival.

 

The Opportunity Campaign for MSU Billings Scholarships began its silent phase in January 2010 and will end December 2012. At the halfway point, the campaign has received $3,675,000 in gifts and pledges.

 

“Over the past 17 months the three-year campaign has had great success,”  Miller said.  “We’ve been very pleased with the early support.”

 

At Miller’s urging, former MSU Billings Chancellor Dr. Ron Sexton agreed to serve as the campaign’s chair.

 

“The vision for this campaign is really his,” Miller said. “After 15 years as chancellor, Ron saw so many students of promise who were limited by their financial circumstances.” 

 

This campaign will help provide the resources so that no qualified student will be excluded from obtaining a first-class education at MSU Billings.  In addition to Miller and Sexton, a steering committee consisting of alumni, community leaders and friends of the university is guiding the campaign.

 

The Opportunity Campaign for MSU Billings Scholarships is focused on four critical areas:

  • Increasing existing scholarship endowments.
  • Creating scholarships tailored for part-time students.
  • Establishing scholarship funding for many two-year programs at the College of Technology.
  • Funding a university work study program.

There is a high priority for the MSU Billings Foundation and the university to secure help students who do not qualify for traditional forms of scholarship support and financial aid.  The Opportunity Campaign is for those students: the working adult taking classes part-time so he can advance in his profession; the young wife and mother who is determined to get her teaching degree while balancing family and academic schedules; the first-generation student seeking a two-year technical degree and working two jobs to keep from taking on too much debt; the displaced worker retooling in an ever-changing economy.   

 

For more information about how to donate to the campaign, contact Miller or Kathie Riggs, Campaign Director, at 657-2244 or toll-free at 888-430-MSUB (6782).

 

Campaign Chair Ron Sexton can be reached at 657-1603.

 

The Foundation can also be emailed at: foundation@msubillings.edu.